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Mineral claim application and renewal process
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How to renew a mineral claim in the Lightning Ridge Mineral Claims District

This section explains how to apply to renew a mineral claim within the Lightning Ridge Mineral Claims District. It is intended for current mineral claim holders and reflects the requirements under the Mining Act 1992.

You can only apply to renew your mineral claim within the two months before the mineral claim is due to expire. 

Applications must be lodged before the mineral claim expires. If the expiry date falls on a weekend or public holiday, the application may be lodged before close of business on the next working day.

Miners must give landholders notice of their intention to renew their mineral claim. This is an essential step to ensure the mineral claim is eligible for renewal.

To apply to renew a mineral claim, the titleholder must follow the processes outlined in the factsheets below and complete the relevant forms. 

Factsheets

Forms

Lodgement options

Your application for the renewal of a mineral claim can be lodged: 

  • by email: lightningridge.office@dpird.nsw.gov.au
  • by post: NSW Resources, Title Assessments, PO Box 314, Lightning Ridge, NSW, 2834
  • in-person: at the department's office, 41 Opal Street, Lightning Ridge, NSW

What happens after I have lodged my renewal application?

Once a completed renewal application has been received:

  • Your mineral claim will be placed in a ‘pending status.’
  • You may continue to mine your claim in accordance with your mineral claim conditions until your renewal application has been determined.

The department will review the documentation and assess the renewal of your mineral claim. As part of the assessment of your renewal, you will be issued a Notice of Proposed Decision. 

The Notice of Proposed Decision outlines: 

  • the proposed decision regarding the renewal your mineral claim
  • a draft mineral claim certificate (if the renewal is proposed to be granted)
  • details of any outstanding fees, levies and landholder compensation that must be paid before a final decision is made. 

Additional payments may be made at the office, by phone or by credit card (if you have completed an authorisation form to take payment). 

If the renewal application is granted, the new mineral claim renewal certificate will be emailed to your nominated email address, posted, or made available for collection at the office.

It is the responsibility of the titleholder to know and follow the conditions outlined in the mineral claim, which includes being aware of the expiry date. Not following the conditions of the mineral claim could lead to penalties or the cancellation of the mineral claim.

When a renewal may not be granted 

A mineral claim will not be renewed if:

  • the application for renewal is lodged after the expiry date of the mineral claim.
  • there is a proposal to cancel the claim
  • the provisions of the Mining Act 1992 or the Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Act 2013 have not been complied with
  • it has come to the attention of the Secretary that there has been a breach of the conditions of the claim, which warrants refusal of the renewal application.

Breaches may include:

  • the area is not safe
  • building guidelines have not been met
  • more than one dog is being kept on the claim area.

If the department proposes to refuse a renewal application, the titleholder will be given a notice outlining the proposed decision and will be given 21 days to respond. 

The titleholder can respond with reasons why the renewal application should not be refused and any response will be considered prior to a final decision being made.

Need assistance?

If you have questions or need help lodging your renewal application, contact the NSW Resources Small Scale Titles Team:

  • Email: lightningridge.office@dpird.nsw.gov.au
  • Phone: 02 6820 5200
  • In person: Department office, 41 Opal Street Lightning Ridge NSW 2834
    Office hours are Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 1pm and 2 to 4pm and Friday 9.30am to 1pm.